This ministry is for people who have been away from the Church, alienated or hurt by the Church, or have simply drifted away. We want you to know that you are welcomed back at any time.
The Evangelization Committee will be glad to answer any questions that you may have by telephone, or in writing, if you prefer to do it that way. Please contact Jerry Barney at 777-6433, ext. 121.
Please do not hesitate to phone us for fear we will keep "bugging" you afterward. Will answer your questions, and if you want to follow up with us, that will be up to you. The process is flexible and hopes to meet the needs of the individuals that contact us.
Periodically during the year, the Evangelization Committee will schedule presentations with the purpose of answering questions about St. John Church, and the Church's attitudes toward divorce, second marriages, and other areas. The presentations are announced in the parish bulletin.
The Evangelization Committee strives to implement the document of the U.S. Bishops entitled "Go and Make Disciples".
A great web site with more information for Returning Catholics ... www.OnceCatholic.org.
Do you know someone who has left the Church? Most of us do not have to look very far to find nonpracticing Catholics in our circle of family and friends. Many of us are concerned about these loved ones, but we do not know how to help them. Obviously, most of them are searching, but how can we help them find their way home?
As baptized, practicing Catholics, we have a precious gift of faith and love from the Lord that needs to be shared with our nonpracticing brothers and sisters. First, we need to pray for them. Next, we need to extend a personal invitation to return. Many mistakenly think they are excommunicated and are not welcome to return for a variety of reasons. Many nonpracticing Catholics carry with them a tremendous amount of guilt and misinformation about the Church and are afraid of approaching the church for fear of being rejected. You can make a tremendous difference in someone’s life simply by reaching out to them and telling them that we miss them and would like for them to come back home to our Church family.
Here at St. John we have a special ministry to help nonpracticing Catholics return to the Church entitled Catholics Returning Home. The program consists of a series of meetings. (future dates to be announce)
Please pass this information on to anyone who might be interested. For more information contact Jerry Barney at 777-6433, ext. 121.